The San Jose Earthquakes look to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls when they travel to take on the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, September 5 at 5:30 p.m. PT at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas. It is the first meeting of the 2010 season between the two teams. Last season, the Earthquakes and Dynamo split the season series, with the Earthquakes winning 3-2 on March 28 at Buck Shaw Stadium and the Dynamo winning 3-1 on May 23 at Robertson Stadium. Last week, the Earthquakes’ two-game winning streak was snapped by the New York Red Bulls, who defeated San Jose 2-0 with goals by Thierry Henry and Dane Richards.

Last GameNew York Red Bulls 2, Earthquakes 0; August 28, 2010; Red Bull Arena; Harrison, New JerseyThe San Jose Earthquakes lost for the first time in three matches Saturday night 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. New York midfielder Dane Richards gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead with a goal in stoppage time in the first half on an assist from midfielder Joel Lindpere. Striker Thierry Henry capped the scoring with a goal in the 63rd minute, his first goal in MLS competition.

Last Game vs. Houston DynamoHouston Dynamo 3, Earthquakes 1; May 23, 2010; Robertson Stadium; Houston, TexasThree goals off set pieces in the first 12 minutes, two where a Houston Dynamo forward was completely unmarked, doomed the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night. An inspired performance from Ryan Johnson could not get back all three goals as the Earthquakes fell 3-1 at Robertson Stadium. Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis took a free kick from 40 yards out and it seemed to catch the Quakes defense sleeping. Johnson lost his mark as Brian Ching broke free at the far post and finished his header clinically. In the 12th minute Houston got its second goal in similar fashion. Another Davis set piece, this time a corner kick, found the head of a wide-open Kei Kamara. The former Quakes forward buried his header past a helpless Joe Cannon and San Jose trailed 2-0. Early in the second half, another Davis corner kick gave Houston yet another goal. This time the ball was headed clear by a Quakes defender to the top of the box. However, Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron headed the ball back in where Craig Waibel was poaching in front of Cannon. The Houston right back quickly turned and scored, giving Houston a 3-0 lead. Johnson, though, was not willing to go quietly. The Quakes forward tried to almost singlehandedly inspire his team. In the 53rd minute, Cam Weaver headed a free kick back across goal and Johnson and Cameron crashed violently into each other. Johnson though got to the ball first, and his header off the underside of the crossbar got one goal back for the Quakes.

Misc. Notes

Quakes in the CommunityWhat: School VisitWho: TBDLocation: Booksin Elementary in San Jose Date: Friday, Sept. 3Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.Details: Player will speak to students about living healthy, active lifestyles and perform a skills demonstration.

Earthquakes Give General Manager John Doyle a Contract ExtensionThe San Jose Earthquakes announced on August 25 that they have signed General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle to a contract extension for the 2011 season. The extension includes an option for 2012. Doyle was originally named general manager on Oct. 3, 2007. Doyle oversaw the return of San Jose to the field in his role as general manager since 2007. He was instrumental in the hiring of Frank Yallop as head coach in 2007 and the building of the team staff. Doyle and that staff oversaw a very successful return to San Jose as the Earthquakes posted more wins (8) and points (33) than any other expansion team in the past decade. Prior to the 2010 season, Doyle oversaw one of the most successful drafts in team history, as he added three players, including 2010 Rookie of the Year candidate Ike Opara. He also added key performers Joey Gjertsen and Jon Busch to the roster. The Quakes equaled their best start in team history (5-2-1) this year and the much-improved defense currently ranks fourth in the league in goals allowed. Recently, he made one of the biggest transactions in club history, signing Brazilian star Geovanni on Aug. 20. Geovanni, who is the team’s first designated player in team history, has played for FC Barcelona, Benfica, Manchester City and Hull City in his career. Under Doyle’s guidance, the team also launched the Earthquakes Youth Academy in 2010 with US Soccer Academy teams at the U18 and U16 levels. Doyle, a native of Fremont, has been involved with the Earthquakes organization every year since 1996. He played and served as captain from 1996-2000. From 2001-03, he served as an analyst on the team’s television broadcasts before moving to the sidelines as an assistant coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Earthquakes Face Three Franchise Stand-OutsWhen the San Jose Earthquakes face the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, the team will face three significant players in franchise history: forward Brian Ching, midfielder Richard Mulrooney and goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Ching played with the Earthquakes from 2003-2005 and currently ranks fourth all-time in goals (25). Mulrooney played in San Jose from 1999-2004 and is second all-time in assists (44), and third in appearances (163), games started (155) and minutes played (14,204). Onstad played with the Earthquakes from 2003-2005 and is second all-time in goalkeeper appearances (84), goalkeeper games started (84), goalkeeper minutes played (7,640), saves (306), wins (39) and shutouts (27).

Earthquakes – Dynamo Share ConnectionThe San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo share an interesting connection. Following the 2005 MLS season, the Earthquakes relocated to Houston where the team became the Dynamo. Prior to moving, the Earthquakes had existed in San Jose since 1996, winning two MLS Cup Championships (2001, 2003) in that span.

Home Sweet HomeIn the five games that the San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo have played against each other, the home team has not lost. The Earthquakes are 2-0-1 all-time at home against the Dynamo, while Houston is 2-0-0 all-time at home against San Jose.

Quakes Look to Tie Shutout Record Since Return When the San Jose Earthquakes face the Houston Dynamo on Sunday, they will be looking equal the record for shutouts in a season since the team returned in 2008. With eight shutouts already on the season, the Quakes will be looking to tie the nine shutouts the team recorded in 2008. The all-time club record for shutouts in franchise history for a season is 12, set in 2005.

Earthquakes Currently Hold Final Playoff SpotWith 29 points in 20 games, the San Jose Earthquakes are currently in the eighth and final playoff spot. The Earthquakes trail the seventh-place Colorado Rapids by two points (31) and lead ninth-place Toronto FC by two points (27).

Convey Suspended for Houston MatchQuakes midfielder/defender Bobby Convey will not play on Sunday against the Houston Dynamo due to suspension. Convey picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 56th minute this past Saturday in San Jose’s 2-0 loss against the New York Red Bulls, and per league policy, has been suspended for one match.

San Jose Earthquakes Launch Pepsi Refresh Project The San Jose Earthquakes are asking their fans to join them in making a difference in the Bay Area community. As part of the Pepsi Refresh Project, the Quakes will partner with the San Jose Unified School District to help gain funding for intramural sports at middle schools in the South Bay for low-income students whose sports programs are being threatened by state budget cuts. The Quakes will compete against MLS’ 15 other teams, vying for fan votes and an ultimate $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fulfill the project. Launching today through Monday, September 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fans can cast their votes at www.MLSsoccer.com/PepsiRefresh <http://www.mlssoccer.com/PepsiRefresh> for the ideas they believe should receive a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Earthquakes Among MLS Leaders in Fewest Goals AllowedThe Earthquakes have allowed just 22 goals in 20 games, ranking sixth in the MLS. The Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake lead in the league, allowing just 16 goals, followed by FC Dallas (17), the Columbus Crew (20) and the Colorado Rapids (21).

Wondo Tied For Sixth in Goals, Second in Game-Winning GoalsSan Jose forward Chris Wondolowski is currently tied for sixth in goals in MLS with eight, along with Justin Braun of Chivas USA, Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids, Kei Kamara of the Kansas City Wizards and Alvaro Saborio of Real Salt Lake. Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy leads the league with 13 goals, followed by Juan Pablo Angel of the New York Red Bulls (12), Fredy Montero of Seattle Sounders FC (10), Dwayne De Rosario of Toronto FC (9) and Sebastien Le Toux of the Philadelphia Union (9). Wondolowski also ranks second in MLS in game-winning goals with five, trailing Buddle (6).

Convey Ranks Tied For Third in Assists, Tied For First in Game-Winning AssistsSan Jose midfielder Bobby Convey currently ranks tied for third in assists in MLS with nine, along with Fredy Montero of Seattle Sounders FC. Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy leads the league with 11, followed by Sebastien Le Toux of the Philadelphia Union (10). Convey also ranks tied for first in MLS in game-winning assists with four, along with Donovan and David Ferreira of FC Dallas.

Busch Among MLS Leaders in Two CategoriesSan Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch currently ranks fifth in MLS in saves percentage (75.9) and goals against average (1.00). Busch has started eight games for the Earthquakes this season, amassing a 2-3-3 overall record and two shutouts.

Earthquakes, Club Quake and SSV Team up for LLS Light the Night WalkThe San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have partnered with their supporter’s group, Club Quake, and the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation for the third straight year to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk on Saturday, Oct. 23 in San Jose. Earthquakes players, members of the team’s front office, along with Earthquakes fans will walk in the event that raises funds and awareness for blood cancers. This year the team will walk in honor of former Earthquakes player Joe Vide, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year. The Earthquakes will also host The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 11. Six-year old Aidan Bowen, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, will perform the honorary First Kick at this Saturday’s game against the LA Galaxy. At the following match on Sept. 11 against FC Dallas, the Earthquakes will also host a silent auction for signed Earthquakes jerseys. Proceeds from the auction will benefit both LLS and the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund. Fans will be able to sign up for the Light The Night Walk at the LLS booth in the pregame vendor area this weekend and on Sept. 11.

Road WarriorsWith a road record this season of 3-4-3, the Earthquakes have as many wins on the road as the team had in 2008 and 2009 combined. In 2008, the Earthquakes went 2-8-5 on the road in their first season back. In 2009, the Earthquakes went 1-10-5 with the lone win coming against D.C. United on September 27, 2009 at RFK Stadium. With 12 points on the road so far this season, the Earthquakes have surpassed the 11 points the team had in 2008 for the most points earned on the road since the team returned. The franchise record for points on the road in a single season is 30 points, achieved in 2005.

Earthquakes – Houston Dynamo ConnectionsFollowing the 2005 MLS season, the San Jose Earthquakes relocated to Houston where the team became the Houston Dynamo … Houston forward Brian Ching played for the Earthquakes from 2003-2005, scoring 25 goals in 56 appearances … Houston midfielder Corey Ashe, goalkeeper Tyler Deric, defender Eddie Robinson and San Jose defender Chris Leitch played at the University of North Carolina … Houston defender Ryan Cochrane played two different stints with the Earthquakes. His first stint was from 2004-2005, appearing in 32 games during that span. Cochrane returned to San Jose in 2008, making 21 appearances before being traded to Houston on August 14, 2009 … Cochrane played at nearby Santa Clara University from 2001-2003 … Houston midfielder Brad Davis played with the San Jose Earthquakes for 2005 season, scoring two goals and notching eight assists in 18 games … San Jose midfielder Steven Beitashour and Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall played two seasons together at San Diego State University (2005-2006) … Houston forward Brian Mullan played with the San Jose Earthquakes for three seasons from 2003-2005, scoring 12 goals and notching 23 assists in 83 games … Houston midfielder Richard Mulrooney played with San Jose from 1999-2004 and ranks second all-time in franchise history in assists with 44 … Mulrooney played with San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez with FC Dallas from 2005-2006 … Houston forward Joseph Ngwenya played with San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch and defender Chris Leitch with the Columbus Crew in 2006, and under current Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2006 … Houston forward Dominic Oduro played with San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez with FC Dallas from 2006-2008 … Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad played with the Earthquakes from 2003-2005 and ranks second in San Jose franchise history in goalkeeper appearances (84), goalkeeper games started (84), goalkeeper minutes played (7,640), saves (306), wins (39) and shutouts (27) … Houston midfielder Lovel Palmer played with San Jose forward Ryan Johnson with the Jamaican National Team … Houston defender Eddie Robinson played with the Earthquakes from 2001-2005, making 70 appearances … Houston defender Adrian Serioux played with San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez with FC Dallas from 2007-2008 and with San Jose midfielder Sam Cronin with Toronto FC in 2009 … Houston forward Cam Weaver played with the Earthquakes for nine games last season, scoring one goal and tallying two assists … San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski played for the Dynamo form 2006-2009, scoring four goals in 37 games … San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez was born in Houston, Texas … Houston forward Cam Weaver and San Jose midfielder Joey Gjertsen are both from Tacoma, Washington … Houston coach Dominic Kinnear coached the Earthquakes for two seasons (2004-2005), amassing an overall record of 27-14-21.

Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. Houston DynamoForward Arturo Alvarez has three goals and three assists in 14 career appearances … Forward Ryan Johnson has two goals in six career appearances … Defender Chris Leitch has two assists in six career appearances … Forward Scott Sealy has one goal and one assist six career appearances.

Houston Dynamo All-Time Leaders vs. EarthquakesForward Brian Ching has three goals in five career appearances ... Midfielder Brad Davis has one goal and four assists in 15 career appearances … Forward Joseph Ngwenya has one goal and one assist in four career appearances … Midfielder Geoff Cameron, forward Brian Mullan and midfielder Richard Mulrooney each have one assist … Goalkeeper Pat Onstad has a record of 2-2-1 in five career appearances.

Quakes Potent in the Final 15 MinutesWith forward Arturo Alvarez’s goal in the 90th minute on Saturday, July 10, the Earthquakes now have scored seven goals in the final 15 minutes this season. On April 10, rookie defender Ike Opara scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute of a 2-1 victory on the road against the Chicago Fire. On April 24, midfielder Steven Beitashour scored in the 90th minute of a 3-2 road loss to Chivas USA. On May 8, forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the 76th minute, and defender Bobby Burling scored in the 85th minute of a 4-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Buck Shaw Stadium. On May 29, captain Ramiro Corrales scored in the 75th minute of a 3-1 home loss to Toronto FC. On June 2, Wondolowski scored in the 79th minute of a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Alvarez Approaching 25 Career GoalsQuakes forward Arturo Alvarez scored his 24th career goal on Saturday, July 10 against the Philadelphia Union. This season, Alvarez has three goals in thirteen games.

Earthquakes Solid When Scoring First and Leading at HalftimeThis season, the Earthquakes are 7-0-2 when scoring the first goal and 5-0-2 when leading at halftime.

San Jose in August and SeptemberThe Quakes are 31-24-6 all-time in August, and 24-21-5 all-time in September in MLS play.

Quakes Individual TicketsThe San Jose Earthquakes announced that individual tickets for all 2010 Earthquakes home games are now on sale. The Quakes significantly reduced prices for the 2010 season with prices ranging from $20-50. Tickets for the 2010 campaign are available online at sjearthquakes.com or by calling 1-800-225-2277. The new, reduced prices for the 2010 season are as follows; Premier Midfield $50 per game ($60 in 2009), Center Circle $35 per game ($40 in 2009), Sideline $25 per game ($35 in 2009) and Goal View $20 per game ($22 in 2009).